Umar Akmal receives "clean bill of health"

Young Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal has been cleared by a neurologist and can undertake any physical activity with no restrictions. Akmal, who had suffered mild seizures during the Caribbean Premier League and was subsequently ruled out of the Zimbabwe series, was referred to Dr. Nadir Ali Syed by the Pakistan Cricket Board. The doctor, while declaring that Akmal is fit for selection, said the seizures were due to sleep deprivation and the cricketer will not require any medication nor will he have to undergo any further tests.

Akmal expressed his gratitude to the national cricket board for reaching out to him during what was a "most anxiety-filled period" for the 23-year-old. "I am really grateful to the PCB, in particular Chairman Sethi Sahib, for being extremely caring and providing me every possible support including great personal care and counselling."

Akmal, who was playing for the Barbados Tridents side in the T20 tournament in the West Indies, had to spend a night at a hospital after he suffered mild seizures while travelling in a plane to Jamaica. Following the incident, The PCB had called the cricketer back home immediately to undergo an extensive neurological examination.

After he received a "clean bill of health", The PCB said it was an one-off incident, and did not require imposing any restrictions on Akmal. "Dr Nadir Syed has diagnosed Umar Akmal for seizure due to sleep deprivation," the PCB said. "According to him (the doctor), it was a one-off incident, a relatively common occurrence and does not necessitate any restrictions on Mr. Akmal, other than ensuring at least 6-7 hours of sleep every night."